NEWARK — The Dalai Lama has a message for Newark: Peace does not come easily, but the strategy for attaining it is simple.

Flanked by blue orchids, Buddhist monks and a security detail from the U.S. State Department, the Tibetan spiritual leader made his opening appeal for peace Thursday at the Robert Treat Hotel, as the city kicked off a three-day summit advocating for non-violence.

For many throughout the world, the leader of Tibet’s government-in-exile is a symbol of peace and a source of inspiration, but Thursday he urged Newarkers to look to themselves for change.

"I think a one-time conference may not make a big impact on your community, but you yourself must make an effort to reduce violence," he said, speaking in English.

While three days of panels and workshops at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center will cover a wide range of peaceful enterprise, the Dalai Lama outlined a simple plan to effect harmony: Reduce poverty and increase education.

"We must address seriously this gap of rich and poor," he said, citing poverty as the next great struggle for equality in America, after the abolition of slavery and the 1960s battle for civil rights.

"Not only morally, but practically, we must make (an) effort. Poorer people’s living standards must be brought up."

"Work hard in education, learning studying," he said. "Youth have an important role to change certain habits in society. You have great potential. There’s possibility with significant contributions to (a) better society, happier society, peaceful society."